Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1887-07-06
Arson Peaslee Morrill,.


health, and with fair prospectof some years
more being added to his life. Now we have
the sad task of announcing his death. The
paralytic stroke which fell upon him last
Monday afternoon was fatal. All that could
be done BY loving hearts and hands to stay
the hand of death, was done. but all in vain
His death occurred at ii O'Clock Monday
morning. At frat it wa. hoped that he might
survive the stroke, but gradually his strength
failed until his eyes peacefully closed in
death.
Arson P. Morrill, was born of sterling
stock His father was a native of Berwick
in this State About 1870 he came to Bel
grade in Kennebec county, and settled there.
He had small farm which he cultivated, and
taught school many winters in succession.
He held town offices many years, was JUS
tice of the peace, skillful in drafting legal
papers, and was often employed as a referee
in disputed cases because Of his sound judy
ment, sagacity and integrity. He was active
in politics an ardent democrat, was MEM
stitution of Maine, and a member of the leg
islature when its sessions were held in Port
land His mother was a native of Dartmouth,
Macs. who came to Maine when quite young.
She was a woman of remarkable strength of
character, and under different circumstances
would have exerted wide influence in society.
As it was she was q model wife and mother,
an active member of the Free Baptist church,
a student of the Bible, which she made the
guide of her life, friend to the poor and suf-
ferinQ and beloved by all who enjoyed her ac-
quantance.
Such were the parents of Arson P Morrill,
lie was born in North Belgrade, June 10,
1903 He had thirteen brothers and sisters,
three of whom were older than he. His
father was unable to give this large family
only what education the common schools
afforded, but these he was careful to have them
attend regularly, and employ their time and
privileges as well as possible. 10 addition
to this Arson z. managed to obtain. when
young man, aquarter's tuition at China
Academy, and also one term at q select
school in Waterville. When he was twenty
years of age he taught school in the winter,
also the next year. The summer following
this he spent in the forests of Miramichi,
welding the axe as a lumberman. In 1926
he bought small stock of goods, mostly on
credit, and began trading at North Belgrade.
The same year. in April, he married Rowena
w. Richardson of Attleboro, Mass, whose
parents then lived at that place but
soon after came to Maine and
settled at Rome in this county.
The fruit Of this marriage was three chill
dren, one of whom ed 10 childhood, and two
survive, viz, Mrs Mills, of San Diego, Cal
ifornia, and Mrs. Goddard of Portland, this
State. In 1927 Mr.. Morrill, cast his first vote
for President. His political faith was like
that of his father his vote was cast for An
drew Jackson. In 1884 he was member of
the legislature from Belgrade. The same
year, in the Fall, he moved to East
Madison, Somerset county, and Opened
store in that place. In 1888 he was appoint
ed sheriff of Somerset county by Governor
ed Governor by the wings, and the new Gov
ernor bestowed the office held by Mr.. Nor
rill upon one of his whig friends. The next
year Kent wa. defeated, and Governor Fair
field who was elected, rendered the office of
sheriff again to Mr.. Morrill, but he declined
TO accept it. In 1874 he was MEM
Der of the legislature from the district of
Madison and Norridgewock. The same year
he bought mill property in Mt. Vernon,
Kennebec county, and changed his
residence to that locality. In lS47
he bought an interest in wooden
mill at Readheld. aud removed to that town
in April of that year, and engaged actively in
the manufacture of wooden goods. The cor
poration was known as the "Readf1eld Wooden
Manufacturing Company" Mr.. Morrill, was
treasurer and general agent of the company.
The business was verv successful. He was
agent of the company fifteen years, during
which tim. it paid regularly and promptly in
cash, twelve per cent. dividends annually, and
a large surplus beside had accumulated. In
1868 he bought out all the other stockholders
and paid them a large advance on the par
value of their stock.
In 1850 he was appointed State Land agent
This was then an office of great care and re-
spousibiity. Mr.. Morrill, held it three years.
In 1853 Albert Pillsbury, after struggle in
the convention between the members who
favored prohibition and those Who opposed
1t, was nominated as the democratic csndi-
date for governor. Those democrats who
were displeased with the nomination after
wards called State convention and unsni-
mously nominated Arson P. Morrill, as their
candidate for governor and placed him upon
a temperance platform. He accepted the
nomination, aud at the request of the State
committee stumped the Stste--the first time
in the history of Maine and probably in New
England when candidate for governor had
taken the stump. The result of the contest
was thAtthere was no choice of governor by the
people and the legislature elected VIM. G.
Crosby to that position.
| In 1854 he was again put 10 nomination for
| Governor by the prohibitionlsts and free soil.